Gun shell feeding mechanism



Aug. 4, '1953 -s.-`scH|FF GUN SHELL 'FEEDING 'MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18. 1945 om, mm.

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NVENOA SIGMUND SCHIFF ATTOREY' llg- 4, 1953 s. scHlFF GUN SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18. 1945j F ma 5 mm y s @fm m@ j@ A .vm s v.. :LWL @t ntt. nt. o? T mn ,l :-.xl w am .M .M @s NE mm .|mlm oww.- H amgmllln". HN@ u A.- Q WTQ 3 h c |9| I GIIII mo. .v6 wm Il I i 0 m@ @v omow i l #wv n am Q OO. O NW m 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS S. SCHIFF GUN SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Dec; 18, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 4 TTORAEYS Aug. 4, 1953 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 S. SCHIFF GUN SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM :EEE-Q INVENTOR. SIGMUND SCHIFF WML/Z fffJ/M ATTORMYS Patented Aug. 4, 1953 UNITED FICE GUN SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM Sigmund Schiff, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of War 31 Claims.

Sec.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by -or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a gun and more particularly to a heavy caliber gun capable of operation as an automatic or preferably semiautomatic weapon specically adapted for use in aircraft, land vehicles, or vessels.

The present invention nds its greatest utility and application in connection with its use as an aircraft cannon. Weapons of this type recently mounted in aircraft are of relatively heavy caliber, such as 75 mm. to 1,05 mm. In the mounting and operation of a weapon mounted in an airplane of the pursuit type, it is desirable that the operation of the Weapon be either completely automatic or semiautomatic so that it may be easily and simply fired by the airplane pilot. This general requirement is also applicable to the use of the weapon in land vehicles or small boats.

In order that a Weapon may be completely or semiautomatic, it must be automatically loaded and otherwise automatically conditioned for firing. To this end, it is desirable that the various components of the Weapon be appropriately coordinated, due regard being had to simplicity of construction and safety of the operator and of the weapon itself. It is therefore found desirable to coordinate the components of the gun in such a manner that various phases of its operation are conditioned upon successful completion of related phases of its operation.

It is a principal object of the invention to utilize the power generated by the gun in recoil to' operate the feeding and loading mechanism.

The invention has for another important objectthe provision of control mechanisminterconnected with the firing control means for the gun ,so that the firing control means will be inoperative to fire the gun unless the feeding and loading mechanisms have satisfactorily completed their cycles of operation.

quently recoil, of the gun until the shell--delivery means is clear of the path of recoil of the gun; to provide-in conjunction with a rammer for chambering vshells-means for precluding ramming or chambering of a shell While a complete round or shell case remains in the Abreech of the gun or while the breech is closed; to provide control means, speci-cally-electrical, coordinating the various phases of operation of the gun and feeding and loading means so that a continuous cycle ofA operation is insured; and to include iny this control mechanism control elements rendering operation of the Weapon as simple and as safe as is practically possible.

The foregoing and other desirable objects and important features ofthe invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is more fully made in the following detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the Weapon and the principal component parts thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan IView of the structure shown in Fig. vl, With the rearward position of the rammelillustrated in broken lines;

.,Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of Ythe rear or breech endof the Weapon, certain parts of the supporting structure being illustrated in broken lines;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the lower portion of the shellcarrying and shell-feeding mechanism;

v Fig. 5 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional View of a portion of the breech structure of the gun showing the details of construction of the lmeans for rdetecting whether a shell is present in or absent from the chamber of the gun, whether the breech is open or closed, and whether the gun has succeeded or failed to return to battery;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic illustrations of the electrical circuits embodied in therammer mechanism; and

Fig. 11 is a view of the left-hand rear portion of the tube-and-breech assembly illustrating the position of the means thereon for actuating the shell-feeding mechanism,

w, '7 Although reference to the invention so far has been in terms of its use as an automatic or semiautomatic weapon having particular adaptability to aircraft, it should be understood that the invention has similar utility in other instances, such as those heretofore mentioned, and even under conditions in which the weapon is emplaced or otherwise iixedly mounted. According--v ly, the following detailed description should be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The major components of the invention are best illustrated in Fig. l, wherein it is shown that a gun mount 2i) is provided with supporting trunnions 2| (only one of which is shown) on which is carried a recoiling gun designated generally by the numeral 22. The particular gun herein shown is of the type having concentric recoil mechanism, an example` of which is shown and described in the United States patent to' Lucht, No. 2,358,340. The gun in this patent is shown as comprising an outer cylindrical sleeve or cradle 23 within which is concentrically contained the recoiling tube-and-breach assembly. The recoil mechanism for thevgun is contained in the annular space between the cradle and the tube 24.

In the present instance, the cradle is carried on the trunnion supports 2| journaled in bearings carried by the gun mount 2U. The gun tube is shown at 24 and includes at its rear or breechward end a breech ring 25, within which is carried a breechblock 26. The breech assembly chosen for purposes of illustration is of the type in which the breechblock `moves vertically in opening and closing. For the purposes of the present description the particular breech structure is of relatively minor importance and it will be understood that any conventional. breech structure may be employed in the practice of the invention. Consequently, the specific details of construction Yand operation of the mechanisni for controlling the breeehblock have been omitted.

The rearward portion of the cradle 23 includes a frame extension 2l having a depending support Zia by means vofv which the cradle is rigidly secured to the base of the mount 2li. The construction just referred to provides for va rigid mounting of the gun 22 on the mount 2li so that no elevation and depression of the gun is possible. However, elevation and depression of the gun is not desired in the instance in which the gun .is mounted in an airplane, for the gun is aimed by aiming the plane. It will be understood, of course, that in the Various applications of the invention to other situations,l the gun mount may be appropriately modified to meet the circumstances.

The upper portion oi the rear frame or support extension 21 provides means for the mounting of a longitudinally extending rammer or loader housing indicated generally by the numeral 2S, the rearward or breechward portion of which includes a pair of depending attaching anges f2s by means of which the housing 28 is rigidly carried on the extension 21 and is fixed with respect to the mount so that it does not move during recoil and counterrecoil of the gun.

The particular type of rammer chosen for the purposes of illustration herein is that disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 635,817, led December 18, 1945, now Patent Number 2,520,956. As shown in this application, the rammer comprises a longitudinally reciprocable rammer tube or shaft carried in a housing support on a gun mount and having at its rearward end a rammer arm adapted to engage individual rounds of ammunition and to ram such rounds successively into the breech chamber of the gun. It is also illustrated in my said application that the rammer is moved from a for ward position out of the path of the reeoiling tube-and-breech assembly, to a rearward position in which the rammer arm is disposed generally in axial alignment with the bore of the gun. The means for moving the rammer rearwardly comprises a connection to the tube-andbreech assembly so that the power generated by the reooiling gun is utilized to operate the rammer; compression springs are loaded upon rearward movement of the rammer for reaction when released to return the rammer, with a round of ammunition, to its forward position so that the round is delivered or chambered in the gun tube.

There has been illustrated connection with the present invention only so o. uch of the aforesaid ranimer as is necessary to an understanding of the present invention and its inclusion oi such rammer a component thereof. The reciprocable rammer member is indicated the numeral 30 and the rammer arm is designated at si. A coaxial extension housing 32 at the forward end of the rammer housing 252 contains the compression springs for returning the rammer to its `forward position. The supporting housing 283 is provided at its upper portion with a rectangu lar track, indicated generally at 3S, comprising a pair of longitudinal slits or grooves cross conneeted at their opposite ends by transverse open portions constituting transverse grooves. The remmer member o is provided at an intermedi ate upper portion thereof with an opstanding pin 34 (Fig. 2) which projects upwardly from the rammer and through the slits or grooves of the track 33 and which, during the operation of the rammer, follows the rectangular track. 33 to guide the rammer 3o longitudinally and to guide the rammel` arm 3l transversely of the direction of travel of the rammer member. When the rammer is in its forward position, the pin 34 is at the forward or counterreeoil end of the righthand vlongitudinal groove of the track 33 (as viewed from the breech of the gun) and they rammer arm iii is disposed in upper position spaced above the axis or the bore of the gun. When the rammel' moves rearwardly, the pin 34 moves along and to the rear of the track where a torsion spring (not shown) rocks the rammer member about its longitudinal axis to move the rammer arm toward a position in which the inner end thereof is generally coaxial with the bore of the gun (Fig.

The rearward portion of the rammer housing 28, above the attaching flanges 29, is provided with a pair of upstanding ears 35 on which is pivoted a latch 3B under the control of suitable control means, herein illustrated as a solenoid 31, mounted on a bracket 38 formed as part of, or secured to, the rammer housing 2B. The connection between the tube-and-breech assembly -.26 and the rammer member 35i is best shown in Fig. 2, wherein it is illustrated that the breech ring 25 has rigidly secured thereto a driving plate 39 extending laterally outwardly from the breech ring and having an opening (not shown) through which the rammer arm 39 passes. The member carries thereon a cylindrical buffer housing 4B, positioned with respect to the driving plate 39 to be engaged by the driving plate as the gun recoils, The housing 40 contains suitable buing mechanism, not necessary to an understanding of the present invention and therefore not shown. When the rammer 30 is driven rearwardly by recoil of the gun, the pin 34 on the intermediate portion of the longitudinal rammer member reaches the rearward end of the track 33 and is engaged by the rear cutout portion of the latch 36. The rammer is thus retained in its rearward position (broken lines in Fig. 2) with the rammer arm in the intermediate position shown in Fig. 10, and is conditioned for release to ram or chamber a round of ammunition when the solenoid 31 is energized to release thelatch 36 and allow the rammer to move forwardly by means of reaction of the compression springs contained in the extension housing 32 on the rammer housing 28.

In my copending application, Serial No. 635,819, led December 18, 1945, now Patent Number 2,604,820, I have disclosed a shell-feeding mechanism that I have found to be suitable for use as a component of my automatic weapon shown herein. Reference is had to said application for details of construction and operation, in addition to those contained in the present description.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the shell-feeding mechanism comprises a rigid unitary supporting structure indicated generally by the numeral 45, rigidly carried at its lower portion on a longitudinally extending supporting tube 46. This tube is mounted at its opposite ends on vertical supporting brackets 4l, which serve as means by which the feeding mechanism may be mounted in proximity to the gun to form a compact unit therewith. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the brackets 4l may be mounted on the floor of an airplane fuselage, such as is indicated at 48, or to any other suitable supporting structure. The gun mount is likewise secured to the floor 48.

The supporting structure 45 includes a longitudinal vertical web portion 49 by means of which the feeding mechanism may be additionally supported on the wall of an airplane fuselage, for example. The supporting structure 45 is provided with front and rear, upright, semicylindrical casings 5l! and 5l. The front casing 50 is provided at upper and lower portions thereof with bearings which journal the opposite ends of a spiral feed member such as a feed screw 52. The rear upright casing 5| similarly supports a similar feed screw 53. As best shown in Fig. 3, each casing embraces substantially 'half of its feed screw and the other half of the screw is available at the inner side of the supporting structure 45 to form, in effect, a plurality of ver? tically spaced pockets in which are carried a series of rounds of ammunition such as shells 54, Fig. 3. structure 45 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced outwardly directed brackets 55 which rigidly support the opposite ends of a longitudinally extending bar 55. Lower portions of the supporting structure 45 are provided with similar brackets 5l which carry a similar bar 58. The bars 56 and 58 are rigidly cross connected by a pair of vertical, longitudinally spaced guide members 59 which, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, respectively parallel the feed screws 52 and 53 and are spaced outwardly therefrom to complete the means for the supporting of the series of shells 54. Each of the guide members 59 is curved upwardly and outwardly at its upper end to provide in conjunction with the feed screws 52 and 53, an enlarged space through which The upper end of the supportingY 6 the shells 54' may be feed screws. f

AVThe feed screw 52 is provided at its upper end with a vertical stub shaft which extends into a housing 60 positioned at the top of the casing 5D. Thus housing contains suitable bevel gearing (not shown) by means of which the feed screw 52 may be rotated by a horizontal shaft 6|, the forward endof which is contained within the housing 60. The rearward end of the shaft 6I is contained in a housing 62 carried by the upright casing 5I. This housing is similar to the housing 60 and contains suitable gearing (not shown) for connecting the shaft 6l to a vertical 1 stub shaft extension at the upper end of the feed screw 53. A crank 63 is suitably connected with the gearing in the yhousing 62 and provides means by which the feed screws 52 and 53 may be manually rotated, which is necessary when the shells 54 are initially loaded into the feeding mechanism. The feed screws have oppositely wound helices and the connection between them and the shaft 6I and gearing in the housings 6E) and 62 is suchthat the feed screws rotate in opposite directions, thus restraining the shells 54 against tendency to endwise displacement in either direction. In order that the shells 54 may be properly aligned, guidedand retained in the feeding mechanism, there is provided at the rearward end of the supporting structure 45 a vertically extending grooved guide 64 positioned to engage the inner portions of the rims of the shells 54.

The longitudinal supporting tube 46v carries rockably thereon, intermediate the upright casings 5D and 5|, a driving cam 65, positioned with respect to the gun 22 to be engaged upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly 24-26 by a driving lug or member 6'6 (Figures 3 and 11) carried at the inner or left side of the breech ring 25 (Fig. 11). Justrearwardly of the driving cam E5, the supporting tube 46 carries rigidly thereon a, support 6l having an upper hollow cylindrical housing 68, preferably formed integral therewith anddisposed on an axis transverse to the supporting tube 45. As disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 635,819, filed December 18, 1945, referred to above, the cylindrical bore in the housing 68 contains a powerful compression spring arranged to be loaded by means con'- nected to the driving cam 65. As shown herein, this means includes a plunger 69 mounted for reciprocation in the housing 68 and having oppositely extending trunnions 15 and 'Il which project respectively through slots 12 in opposite side portions of the housing 68. The compression spring contained within the cylindrical housing portion '68 is indicated by the numeral 13 and may be seen through the rear slot 'l2 in the housing 8B in Fig. 3. The trunnion H extends forwardly through the slot 12 in that side of the housing 68 and is connected by means of a short link 'I4 and pin 'l5 (Fig. 3) to the upper end of an arm i6 rigidly connected to, or formed as part of, the rearward portion of the driving cam 65. Consequently, as the driving cam is rocked upwardly on the tubular support 45, the arm 'I6 will be swung in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the breech end of the weapon) and will move the plunger 59 to the left (as viewed in Fig. 3), thus compressing the spring 13 within the housing 68.

, The upper portion of the housing 68 is provided with a slot transversely thereof through which a latch 11 may extend into the housing individually loadedfinto the as to retain the plu-nger $9' in position with the' spring 13 compressed. The latch 11 is' pivoted at 18 on one of a pair of ears T9 formed. integral- 1y with and extending upwardly from the nousing 58. A tension spring 80 serves to maintain the latch 11 'in latohing position behind the plunger 69. When the latch is released, as will hereinafter appear, to allow the plunger to return to its starting' position at the right-hand side of the cylindrical housing 6B, the lower portion of the latch rests on the upper portion of the' plunger. In other words, the latch 'I1 is permitted to pass through the slotted upper por tion of the cylindrical housing 58 only when the plunger 69 is moved to the position in which the spring T3 is compressed.

The trunnion l2 extends rearwardly through the slot 'i2 in that side of the housing 88 'and is pivotaliy connected to one end of a driving link Bi (Figs. 3 and 4).. The other end of the link Sii is pivotally connected by' means of a pin S2 to the upper end of an inwardly and downwardly curving link 83, the lower end of which is pivotally carried. on a longitudinal pin all mounted in a pair of longitudinally spaced, lati erally extending ears B5 at the lower end of and preferably formed integral with the rea-r upright casing 5l. The link 8| is provided at its opposite ends with slots B and el (Fig. 3) which cooperate with the pins "ill and 82, respectively, to provide for necessary lost motion in the linkage during operation of the feeding mechanism, the detailed functioning of which will be set forth below.

isV best shown `in Fig. 4, the upper end of n the curved link 83 is bifurcated to form a pair of transversely spaced mounting lugs v83 between which is disposed the lower end of an upwardly extending feed-screw-driving link iii). The pin 82, previously described as forming the pivotal connect-ion between the driving link Si and the curved link 83, extends through the mounting lugs 88 and through the lower end of the link 89,- thus forming a pivotal connection between the curved link 83 and the feed-screw-driving link B9. The upper end of the link 89 is bifurcated to form a pair of integral spaced arms 90 which receive pivotally therein opposite trunnions Si of a sliding member 92. The member 93 is carried for vertical reciproeation on a vertical shaft 93, the lower end of which is journaled in a bearing S4 at a lower portion 'of the rear upright casing 5i, and the upper portion of which is journaled in an upper bearing 95 (Fig. 4) positioned on the rear upright casing ti just below the lower end of the rear feed screw 53, at which point the shaft 53 is connected to the feed screw 53 for rotation there with. The shaft `93 is provided with a longitudinally extending straight groove 95: in addition, this shaft is formed with a spiral groove Sl which makes one complete turn about the shaft 93 from a point beginning at an intersection with the straight groove S6, about one-third of the distance from `the lower end of the shaft 93, to a point at the upper end of the shaft (Figs. 3 and 4). The sliding member 92 is provided with a spring-pressed follower Q3 which eX- tends within the sliding member and engages either of the grooves 9S or Ellfdepending upon whether the sliding member is moved upwardly or downwardly on the shaft 93.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4,- that is with the Sliding member 92 at the upper end of the shaft 93,- these parts 3. are conditioned for downward movement, in which case the follower 98 of the slidingl member 92 follows the straight groove 9S in the shaft This movement of the sliding member 92 has no effect on the shaft; that is, the shaft is not rotated during the downward travel of the sliding member 92. However, as will hereinafter more fully appear, as the sliding meiner 92 is moved upwardly on the shaft 93, the follower 9% caused to engage the spiral groove Sl in the shaft, thus effecting one complete revolution of the shaft and consequently rotating the feed screw 53 through one revolution; because of the driving connect-ion between the feed screws 52 and 5h-comprising the shaft iii and gearing in the housings t0 and SF2- the feed screws 52' and 53 are simultaneously rotated, but in opposite direetions.

.as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each upright casing 5l) and @i rigidly carries thereon at laterally extending bearing bracket 39 in which is journaled the opposite ends of a longitudinally extending roclishaft Hli. This rockshaft rigidly carries thereon, between the bearings 99, a pair of longitudinally spaced tray arms mi, each of which, as best shown in 3, extends laterally from the rockshaft in the form of a reversely bent S. The inner or free end of each arm is of semi-circular configuration formed about a radius equal to that of the size of shell carried by the feed screws and forms a cradle portion |02 within which individual shells are carried as the arms move together from their position shown in Fig. 3 to a position in which the shell carried thereby is in position to be received and rammed or chambered by the rai-orner 30. The cradle portions of the tray arms iilI are rigidly cross connected by a pair of longitudinally extending strip members Hit, each of which is provid-ed at its rear end with a retaining clip ifl adapted to limit endwise displacement of the shells carried in tho tray structure provided by the arms |82 and strip' members m3. Each tray arm is provided at a portion thereof, adjacent its cradle portion |532, with a short shaft or pin H35 (Figs. 3 and 4) disposed on a longitudinal axis. Each pin has pivotally mounted thereon a bell crank |86, one arm of each of which forms a retaining arm lill, and the other arm of each of which forms a control arm 108 having a guide or control pin ia. rlhe retaining arm itl of each bell crank |06 carries rotatably thereon a roller |69 (Fig. 3) mounted on an axis normal to the axis of the mounting of the bell crank on the pin or shaft |85. Each bell crank |05 is normally resiliently urged in a direction such that the retaining roller |99 thereon engages the periphery of a shell in the cradle portion |92, the means for accomplishing this purpose consisting of a tension spring Il@ conn Jfated at one end to a pin lil on the tray arm iii and at its other end to a depending ear i i2 adjacent the fulcrum point of the bell crank.

The pivot pin S2 forming the driving connection between the driving link 8|, the curved link 33 and the feed-screw-driving link 89 serves also as a pivotal mounting for the lower end of an upwardly extending tray-driving link H3. As best shown in Figs. 3 and Il, the lower end of the tray-driving link i i3 is carried on the pin 82 between the driving link 8i and the forward side of the curved arm 3S. The upper end of the traydriving link H3 is pivotally connected to the rear tray arm Illi by means of the short shaft or pin |05 on which the bell crank |06 is mounted.

P'art of the automatic control of the weapon herein set forth consists of means for controlling movement of the tray between its two positions. For this purpose the rockshaft carries rigidly thereon, intermediate the tray arms- IUI, suitable control means in the form of a tray solenoid H4 having an extensible plunger ||5 provided with a collar ||6 which engages a yoke ||1 on the lower bifurcated end of a rockable arm ||8. The arm ||8 is pivoted on a pin ||9 on a-pair of ears mounted on the rear side of the forward tray arm |0|. The solenoid plunger`| I5 is normally spring-pressed by a compression spring to the position shown in Fig. 4. The upper end of the lever arm I I8 is bifurcated and embraces a collar |2I rigidly secured to a longitudinally extending release bar |22, the opposite ends of which are preferably square in crosssection (Fig. 3) and are slidably carried respectively in the tray arms IGI. The arrangement is such that extension of the solenoid plunger 5, upon energizing of the solenoid |I4,will

VVmove the release bar |22 rearwardly, or to the left,

as viewed'in Fig. 4. The forward or right hand end of the release bar extends forwardly through the forward tray arm |0| for engagement with locking means, to be presently described.

The forward upright casing 513 is provided at its rear face with a triangular bracket |23 provided at its rear face with an upper catch or lug |24 and a lower catch or lug |25. The lower portion of the bracket |23 is directed horizontally rearwardly and is provided with a buiTer |26, of any suitable resilient y material, which serves as a stop to limit downward travel of the tray arms |0|. The upper or outer end of the bracket |23 is provided with a rearward extension on which is mounted a similar buier element |21 (Fig. 3) by means of which upward travel of the tray arms IUI is limited. 'I'he release bar |22 carries rigidly thereon, adjacent its rearward end and just forwardly of the rear tray arm |0l, a depending release arm |28 (Figs. 3 and 4) Since the solenoid ||4 is rigidly carried bythe rockshaft |00 on which the tray arms |0| are mounted, downward swinging of the tray arms from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that in which the shell carried by the tray arms is in axial alignment with the bore of the gun 22 will result in a repositioning of the solenoid ||4, release bar |22 and release arm |28. Consequently, the lowei` end of the release arm |28 will be redisposed from the position shown in Fig. 4 to a position in which it is in alignment with the upper end of the latch 11 (previously described as being pivotally mounted on the top of the cylindrical housing 68). Hence, the single solenoid Mis capable of the double function of releasing the forward end of the release bar |22 from the upper catch |24, when the tray is in its upper position and of pivoting the latch 11 by means of the release arm |28 when the tray is in its lower position. When the tray moves to its lower position, the release bar I 22 engages the lower catch |25 on the bracket |23 and thus prevents the trayv from bouncing or otherwise moving accidentally upwardly. At the same time that the solenoid Ilrl functions to release the latch 11 it also releases the release bar |22 from the lower catch |25. Thus, the release of the release bar |22 from the catch is coordinated with the conditioning of the tray for return movement'from vits lower position to the position shown in Fig. 3, this movement being eifected by reaction of the now released compression spring 13 in the cylindrical housing B8. v

vAs previously stated, reaction of the spring 13 serves also to drive the sliding member 92 up'- wardly on the feed screw shaft 93 so that said shaft is rotated by means of engagement between the follower 98 of the Sliding member 92 and the' spiral groove or track 91 in the shaft.

As heretofore stated, one'of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient means by which the functions of the component parts of the weapon may be controlled and coordinated, with particular emphasis on the desideratum that the components be made to function in proper order or be prevented from operating `unless and until previous phases of operation have been accomplished. At the same time, due regard is had to the requirement of simplicity, to the'safety of the operator, vand to the elimination of the` possibility of damage to the weapon because of malfunctioning thereof.

One of the components of the control means provided according to the present invention consists of means for detectingwhether the chamber of the tube is empty or whether it has been properly loaded with a shell. This means further accomplishes the f function of determining whether the breech has closed orl failed to close. And interrelated means isprovided for detecting whether or not the gun has returned to battery. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the rear end of the guntube is provided Vin the usual manner' with a chamber |29. i Fig. 5 illustrates the positions of the parts when (arthe chamber |29Vcontains a shell 54, (b) thegun is'in battery, and (c) -the breechblock'ZS is closed. .Y r

As best shownin Figs. r2, 3 and 5, the forward portion of the breech ring 25 carries' a ybracket |30 having a generally horizontal flange 53|, secured by bolts y|32fto an upper portion of thc breech ring 25, and a vertical rectangular sleeve |33. The flange |3| and sleeve |33 are preferably formed as integral parts of the bracket |30. The sleeve |33 is provided with a'vertical opening |34 (Fig. 5) within whichis carried for vertical reciprocation a feeler |35 provided along its rear side with teeth forming a rack |35. The bracket |3| includes a pair of rearwardly directed iiange portions or ears |31 in lwhichy is mounted a transverse yshort shaft |38. This shaft has keyed thereto between thev flange portions |31 a pinion |39 meshing with 'the rack |36. The short shaft |38 extends at opposite sides of the flange portions-|31 Aand has keyed, orotherwise rigidly secured, thereto one'end of la swingablearm |40. The upper-end of this arm is' providedwith an outer threaded cylindrical portion 14| within which is adjustably carried a contact control screw |42.

The rearward portion'of the' cradle 23' has rigidly secured thereto a mounting bracket m3 (Fig'.'2) which extends laterallyv from a point adjacent the remmer housing 28 to a point adjacent thebrfat'zlfretvv |30. the latter point the mounting bracket |43mis provided with a vertical attaching nange |44 ori` whichis mounted a pair of electrical switches |45 land, |46. The righthand switch |46l (as `viewed from the breech) has an extending contact Ystrip |41 positioned to be engaged or released bythe contact vcontrol screw |42 on the swingable arm. |40. The left hand switch |,4 5 is providedwith a contact strip |48 positionedr to be iengaged or released by a contact control member |49 rigidly carriedat the andere 11 upper end of an upward extension of the right;r hand ange |31 of the bracket |30. f

The upper end of the feeler |35y is provided with a forwardly extending lug |50 to which is connected the upper end of a tension spring |i. The lower end of the spring |5| is connected to a pin |52 carried by a pair of ears |53 On the flange 3| at the junction of said ilange with the vertical sleeve portion |33. The action of the spring |5| is such as to urge the feeler |35 normally downwardly. However, thel presence of the shell 54 in the chamber |29 prevents downward movement of the feeler |35, since an abutting element |54 at the lower end of the feeler abuts an upper portion of the rim of the Shell 54 `in the chamber |29. The .upper forward por.- ton of the breechblock is recessed as at |55 and likewise is abutted by the lower end |54 of the feeler when the breechblock is closed.

The function of the construction .thus far described is such that when the chamber 12.9 is empty and the breechblock |26 is open, the electrical switch |45 will be closed, since downward movement of the feeler |35 will cause forward swinging of the arm so that the contact control screw |42 will engage the contact strip |41.

The relationship between the switch |45, with its contact strip |48, 4and the contact control member |49 is such that the switch |45 is closed when the gun is in battery. It will be noted that the feeler switch |46 also operates or fails to operate on the'basis of the return or nonreturn of the gun to battery; that is to Say, the feeler switch |46 is carried by the bracket |43 on the cradle 23 which is fixed .against recoil; the contact control screw |42 is carried by the arm |40 Which is mounted on the bracket |30 which is in turn carried by the breech ring 25. The breech ring, of course, recoils ywith .the tube 24 and, should the parts fail to return to battery, there would be no closing of the feeler switch |46, even though the chamber |29 conta-ined no shell and even though the breechblock 26 was closed, since the contact control screw |42 could not engage the contacting strip |41 .of the feeler switch |45. There is thus =provided a double safeguard against any maltunctioning of the Weapon incident to .failure of the sun to .return to battery.

The delivery of shells by the tra-y -toa position to be received by the rarnmcris likewise coordinated with the other functions of the weapon. The control and timing. mechanism in this -respect is also electrical and, .as will hereinafter appear, is appropriately related .to the breech and feeler switches and |56.

The triangular bracket |23 at the rear side of the front upright casing 50 is provided with .a lower tray switch |56. As shown in Figs. .3 and 4, this switch is mounted on that portion of the bracket |23 that carries the lower buier |26. The switch |56 is of the double throw type and includes first and second contacts |51 and |58 and a spring-pressed contact control plunger |59. As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the contact |51 is connected in series with the tray solenoid A||4 by a lead |66 and the contact |58 is connected by a lead |6| to the rammer solenoid 31.

The contact control plunger |59 is connected by a lead |62 with the contact stri-p |41 of the cartridge feeler switch |46. -When the tray is in its upper position ready to receive a shell 51| from the feed screws 52 and 53, there is no engagement between the forward tray arm I0| and the plunger |59, and the latter is thus released for outward movement by spring pressure to make 1.2 an .electrical connection with the Contact |51 of the switch |56 (Fiss. 6 and 7).-

er |59 o f the switch |56 is engaged by the for.- Ward tray arm |0| and is depressed to Ancalfze an electrical connection with the contact |58 of the switch |56 (Figs. 8 and 9).

The bracket |23 on the front upright casing 5 0 carries a second or upper tray switch |63, This switch is mounted on that portion of the bracket |23 that carries the upper buffer |21. As. shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the switchy |63 includes a .contact control plunger |64 engageable with either a first contact |65 or a second contact |66. The contact |65 is connected with the tray solen od ||4 by a short lead |61 connected to the load |60. suitable lead |68 connects the contact |66 of the switch |63 in series with a ring control switch |69', which isv in turn connected in series with a firing actuator |10. The latter element is suitably connected to the firing mechanism of the gun 22 and may be of any conventional construction. The structure has therefore been illustrated only diagrammatically in the drawingsl When the tray is in its upper or shell.- receiving position (Fig. 3), the. plunger |64 of the switch |63 is depressed to make an electrical connection with the contact |66 (Fig. 6). A. signal liebt lll is connected in series with the contact |66 and in parallel with the firing switch |09 and, as will hereinafter appear, will be illus minated when the firing circuit is completed up to the firing switch, The plunger |54 is connected by a lead |12 to the breech switch |45.

In addition to control and coordination of the functions of the weapon in firingg recoil, and shell-delivery, the control mechanism provided by the invention includes also .control and co.- ordination of the ramming phase. For this purpose the control system is provided with a .oo ntrol switch |13 which iS controlled by .the 11ammer and which .is carried in part by the remmer buffer 40 and in part 'by the rammer housing 28. The switch |13 is of the double throw type Aand includes a first contact |14 connected in series by a lead |15 with the cartridge feeler vswitch |46 and a second contact |16 connected by a lead |11 in series with the breech switch |45. The remmer switch |13 fur-ther includes a contact control plunger |18 which is connectible with either contact |14 or |16. The plunger |18 is connected by an electrical conduit |19 to a source of electrical energy shown diagrammatically and designated at in the drawings. A control member 18| is carried by the rammer on the buffer 40 thereof. The switch body |13 is .carried on the ramrner housing 2B. As will appear from Fig. 2, the control member |8l is adapted to depress or release the springfpressed plonger 13, depending upon whether the remmer is in forward or chambering position or in rearward or shell-receiving position.

OPERATION The operation o f the weapon, Consists of a main cycle involving the subordinate cycles of ring, recoil, .counterrecoiL shell-delivery, ramming or chambering of a shell by the rammel, and return of the shell-delivery means to advance an.- other shell for the ,next main cycle. As stated above, the electrical control circuit and the various branches thereof coordinate these subcycles or phases of operation of the Weapon. Due regard is had to the provision of means for preventing certain phases of operation of the weapon in the event of malfunctioning of the 4weapon in When the tray, moves .to its lower or delivery position, the plunge.

any other phase. For the sake of claritygthe following description of the operation of the weapon will be divided into four main phases in each of which the functioning of the mechanical components of the weapon will be described in connection with the electrical control thereof; viz., (I) firing, (II) shell-delivery, (III) ramming, and (IV) shell-advance.

Firing (Fig. 6)

In the description of this phase ofthe operation ofthe weapon, it will be assumed that the weapon has been loaded manually and is otherwise in condition for firing. The following conditions are necessary to the firing of the weapon and it will be assumed that these conditions have been established: (a) the tray is up (Fig. 3); (b) the vgun is in battery; and (c) the rammer is forward in its position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. When these conditions are met, the circuit will be complete from the source of energy |86 to the firing switchv 69, since, when the rammer is forward, the circuit will be through the contact |16 of the switch |13; thence through the lead |11 to the breech switch |45vwhich, when the gun is in battery, will be closed to carry the circuit through the lead |12 to the plunger |54 of the upper tray switch |53; and, the tray being up, the circuit will continue through the contact |66 of the switch |63 through the lead |68 to the ring switch |69. This same circuit, when complete, will illuminate the signal light |1|. The gunner will thus be informedthat the firing circuit is complete and may then close the switch |63 to the firing actuator |16 to lire the weapon. It will be noted that the remaining elements of the control mechanism are inactive and these have been illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 6.

Shell delivery (Fig. 7)

When the weapon recoils after firing, the driving member 66 on the breech ring 25 engagesthe shoe or cam 65 on the tubular support of kthe shell-feeding mechanism. Rocking of the cam in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) results in compression of the driving spring 13, and the spring-pressed latch 11 on the housing 68 drops in behind the plunger 69 and retains the spring 13 under compression. During this phase of operation there will be no change in the positions of the tray, feed screws, or sliding member S2 on the shaft 53.

At the beginning of recoil, the tube-and-breech assembly, by meansof the driving plate 39 on the breech ring 25 and the buffer 40 on the rammer3a1, picks up the rammer and drives/it rear-l wardly to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2. As the rammer travels from its forward to its rearward position, the guide or control pin 34 follows the track 33 and, at the rearward end of the track, is caught and retained by the rammer latch 3S. The gun will then return to battery under the action of its counter-recoil mechanism. While the rammer remains in its rearward position the plunger |18 of the switch |13 is released from the pressure of the control member |3| on the buffer 40 of the rammer and is thus permitted to make connection with the contact |14 of the switch |13. This action of the switch |13 breaks the circuit to the ringswitch and initiates an electrical circuit that ultimately energiz'es'the tray solenoid ||4. However, this circuit will be complete only if: (a) the tray is upso'that the plunger |59 is'spring pressed outwardly to make'anelectrical 'connection withfthe contact |51 of the switch |56: the chamber |23 of the breech 25 is empty and the breechblock 26 is open, in which case the feeler switch |46 will be closed; (c) the gun is in battery so that the feeler switch will be operative; and (d) the rammer remains in its rearposition so that the plunger |18 of the switch |13 is permitted to make connection with the contact |14. It will be noted in the foregoing statement of requirements that although the breech switch |45 is actually not in the circuit just established, nevertheless, the gun must have returned to battery; for, otherwise, the feeler switch |46l could not function. Further, itis to be understood that the gun includes the usual shell-extracting and -ejecting mechanism; however since the details thereof areA not necessary to an understanding ofthe present invention, such structure has not been shown. est? With the circuit complete, as shown in Fig. 7, the tray solenoid I4 is actuated and releases the release bar A|22 vfrom the upper catch A|24 on the bracket |23, allowing vthe tray to descend by gravity, with a shell therein, to a position in which the shell is disposed in axial alignment with the breech of the gun Aand just forwardly of the rammer arm 3|.

As the tray movesdownwardly to'shell-delivery position the sliding member 92 vtravels directly down the shaft 93 with the follower 88 ofthe sliding member followingthe straight groove 66 of the shaft. The driving spring 13 is still cocked or loaded and is still retainedby the springpressed latch 11. Since the arm 16 on the cam l65 has been swung in a counterclockwise direction and retained there, it will have moved the connecting pin 16 to the left in theV sl-ots 12 of the housing 68, which action will have resulted in a generally vertical disposition of the connecting link 8|. This positioning of the vlink v8| is permitted by the lost motion provided by the slots 86 and 81 therein. As'the tray descends, the connecting links 89 and ||3 will move the link 8| until it assumes a position generally parallel to `the slots 12 and housing '68, and theV pins 16 and .82 will be at the far ends of the'slots 86 and 81,

respectively. ,The linkage is thus prepared for returning Vthe tray upwardly and for rotating the feed screws 5| and53v when the latch 11 is released to permit reaction of the driving spring 13.

Ramming (Fig. 8)

As the tray assumes its lower or shell-delivery position, the forward tray arm |6| releases the plunger |64 of the switch |63 and the plunger makes an electrical connection with the kcontact |65 to the tray solenoid ||4. However, this circuit is inactive because of the position of the switch |13 (the rammer being in its rearward position) When the tray reaches its lower or delivery position,4 the forward tray arm 0| positively engagesthe plunger |59 of the lower switch |56 and depresses the plunger to effect an elec- .tricaly connectionwith the contact |58. Thereupon, thecircuit throughthe lead |6| to the rammer solenoid -31 is completed, provided that at this time (a) the gun is still in battery, (b) the chamber |29 is still empty, (c) the rammer is still in rearward'position and (d) the breech is open. Failure of any of these conditions to occur will result in an incomplete circuit to the rammer solenoid 31. In otherwords, the rammer cannot ram a shell if the breech is closed, or if the gun is not inbatter'y, or if a shell is already in the chamber,4 or if the'ftrayhas failed to descend rcompltely t"delivry"postin. "The iinportance of these preventive controls is illustrated by considering what would occur, ify for example, the rammer rammed the shell when another shell was already in the chamber, particularly if the ammunition used was fused with point-detonating fuzes. In another example, if the tray Was only part way down, the released rammer would engage the tray arms, thus damaging both the tray and the rammer.

When conditions are such that the circuit is complete to the rammer solenoid 31, this solenoid is energized and releases the latch 3B on the rammer housing 23 which in turn releases the pin 34 of the remmer 3i) and allows the rammer to be rocked slightly (lowermost position of arm 3| in Fig. l) and. 'driven forwardly under action of the compression springs contained in the rammer housing extension 32. After the shell is chambered, the breech closes, there beingprovided in the gun the usual breech-.closing mechanism. Since this mechanism is not necessary to an understanding of the invention, the structure and operation thereof have not been illustrated and described.

Shell advance (Fig. 9)

When the ran-nner reaches its forward position, the control member i8! on the buffer le engages and depresses the plunger |78 of the switch l-i and connects the source of energy ISil to the contact i'l' of theswitch lf3. Since the gun is in battery, the battery switch |45 will be closed and the circuit will be carried to the upper tray switch |53. While the tray is down, in its lower or shelldelivery position, the plunger IGA of the upper switch |53 is in released position and an electrical connection is made with the contact |65, which completes the circuit to the tray solenoid-lill through the leads 16S and ttl, whereupon this solenoid is energized and operates through the release bar 22 and release arm |28 to release the latch 'il on the driving spring housing 63. The release bar is simultaneously released from `the lower catch H on the bracket 23.

Release of the tray for return to its upper position is made dependent upon return of the rammer to its forward position. The reason for this dependency will be clear when it is considered that if the tray began its upward travel before the rammer and shell'cleared the tray, the result would be either damage to the tray and rammer or possible dislodging 0f the shell from its position.

When the latch 'il is withdrawn from behind 'the plunger 69 and the driving spring I3 Vreacts, the arm 7G (Fig. 3) is moved in a clockwise direction and, through the links 'i4 and 8| and links 89 and ||3, drives the tray arms lill and sliding member 92 upwardly. As the sliding member 92 is driven upwardly on the shaft 93, the follower 98 travels in the spiral groove 91, thus effecting one complete revolution of the shaft 93 and consequently of the feed screws 52 and 53. At the Sametime, the tray reaches or returns to its upper position adjacent the lower portions of the feed screws. As the feed screws rotate they feed or advance the next lowermost shell in the series to the now returned tray. When the tray leaves its lower position to move to its upper position the plunger |59 of the lower switch |56 is released from the pressure of the forward tray arm |0| and is spring-pressed to make electrical connection with the contact |51 of the switch |56 tol again condition the tray solenoid ||4 for future action; Of present importance, however, is the 4fact. that when the trav reaches its upper position it epesses the plunger |84 which then breaks its connection to the Contact and makes connection with the contact |56, thus re-establishing the circuit shown in Fig. 6 and conditioning the firing switch |69 for action.

The importance of the preventive control consisting of the upper tray switch its and its relationship to the ring circuit is as follows: the tray must move upwardly and reach its upper position to engage the plunger |64 of the upper switch |63 for completion of the circuit through the contact |66 to the firing switch |69, since, if it were possible to re the weapon with the tray in its lower or delivery position, or in any intermediate position, the tray would be seriously damaged by recoil of the tube-andbreech assembly.

It'will be seen from the foregoing description' that the objects of the invention hereinabove enumerated are simply and effectively achieved. Other objects of the invention will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art, as will several adaptations thereof. However, the invention has been illustrated and described in relation to only a preferred embodiment thereof and it will be understood that numerous alterations and modifications may be made in this preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly mounted for recoil and return to battery, a support positioned in xed relation to said gun, a rammer carried by said support for forward and rearward movement generally along a line paralleling the bore of said tubeand-breech assembly, means responsive to recoil of said assembly for moving said rammer rearwardly, means for releasably retaining said remmer vin rear-ward position while said tubeand-breech assembly returns in counterrecoil,

means for carrying a series of shells for said gun, means for delivering individual shells successively from said carrying means into the path of said rammer when the latter moves forwardly, first control means connected between said shelldelivering means and said tube-and-breech assembly and operable in response to return of said tube-and-breech assembls7 t0 battery to condition said delivery means for delivery of a shell to said rammer, second control means connected to the aforesaid rammer-release means and operable in response to the absence of a shell from said tube-and-breech assembly to partially condition said rammer-release means for release of said rammer, third control means also connected to said rammer-release means and operable in response to delivery of a shell to said rammor to complete conditioning of said rammer-release means to release said rammer, means for moving said rammer forwardly after release, and fourth control means connected to said shell-delivery means and operable in response to return of said rammer to itsvforward position for eecting operation of said shell-carrying means to advance of a shell to said shell-delivery means.

2,. In combination, a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly mounted for recoil and return to battery, a support positioned in fixed relation to Said gun, a rammer carried by said support for reciPIOCatOn generally along a line paralleling the bore 0f said tube-and-breech assembly,

means operated by recoil of said gun for moving said rammer rearwardly, means for releasably retaining said rammer in rearward position while said tube-and-breech assembly returns in counterrecoil, means on said support for carrying a series of shells for said gun, means for delivering individual shells successively fromsaid carrying means to a position to be engaged and rammed by said rammer when the latter ,moves forwardly, control means for effecting operation of said shell-carrying means to advance shells successively to said delivery means, rst control means connected between said shell-delivery means and said tube-and-breech assembly and operable when the latter has returned to 'battery to condition said delivery means for delivery of a shell into the return path'of saidrammer, second control means connected to the aforesaid rammer-release means and operable in response to movement of said delivery means to position a shell in the return part of saidrammer, to thereby release said rammer, means formoving said rammer forwardly, and means connected to said shell-delivery means and operable inresponse to return of said rammer to its forward position for returning said shell-delivery means to initial position and simultaneously operating said shell-carrying means to advance a shell to said shell-delivery means.

3. In combination, a gun-having a tube-andbreech lassembly mounted for recoil and return to battery, means for carrying a series of shells for said gun, a support positioned in fixed relation to said gun, a rammer carried by said support for movement in a ramming cycle between a rst position to receive a shell from said carrying means and a second position to chamber the received shell in the breech of said gun, means operated by recoil of said gun for moving said rammer to its rst position, means for delivering individual shells successively from said carrying means to a position in the return path of said rammer when the latter moves from its rst position to its second position, said shell-carrying means being operable to advance shells successively to said delivery means for delivery into the path of said rammer, rst control means connected to said delivery means and to both said rammer and said tube-and-breech assembly and operable in response to both return of said tube-and-breech assembly to battery and movement of said rammer to its rst position, to actuate said delivery means for delivery of a shell into the return path of said rammer, means in said tube-and-breech assembly for detecting the presence or absence of .a shell therein, power means for moving said rammer to its second position, second control means connected to both said detecting means and said delivery means and operable in response both to the absence of a shell from said tube-and-.breech assembly and to to battery, means for carrying a series of shells for said gun, a support positioned in xed relation to said gun, a rammer carried by said support for movement from a lirst position to a second position to chamber a shell in the breech of said gun, means responsive to recoil of said gun for moving said rammer to first position, means for delivering individual shells successively from said carrying means to a shell-delivery position in which the shells may be chambered by said rammer when the latter moves from its rst position to its second position, first control means connected between said shell-delivery means and said rammer and oper-able in response to movement -of said rammer to its rst position to effeet operation of said delivery means for delivery of a shell, power means for moving said rammer to its second position, second control means operable in response to movement of said delivery means to shell-delivery position for effecting movement of said rammer to its second position, and third control means operable in response to chambering of a shell by said rammer for moving said shell-delivery means to a position for receiving a shell from said shell-'carrying means and simultaneously operating said shell-carrying means to effect advance of a shell to said shelldelivery means.

5. In combination, a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly mounted for recoil and return to battery, means for carrying a series' of shells for said gun, a support positioned in xed relation to said gun, a rammer carried by said `support for movement in a ramming cycle from a first position to a second position to chamber the shell in the breech of said gun, means responsive to recoi1 of said gun for moving said rammer to its rst position, means for delivering individual shells successively from said carrying means to a position to be chambered by said rammer when the latter moves from its rst position to its second position, first control means including a switch operable in response to return of said tubeand-breech assembly to battery to effect movement of said delivery means to deliver a shell into the path of said rammer, power means for moving said rammer to its second position, and second control means including a switch operable by and in response to movement of said shell-delivery means to deliver a shell into the path of said rammer, to release said power means and effect movement of said rammer to its second position.

6. An automatic gun as recited in claim 5, said first control means comprising a circuit including said rst-named switch and la third switch closed by and in response to initial movement of said .shell delivery means away from said shell-carrying means.

7.`In an automatic gun having a tube-andbreech assembly mounted for recoil and return to battery, means for carrying a `seriesiof shells for said gun, a support positioned in Xed relation to said gun, a rammer carried by saidsupport for movement in a ramming cycle between a first retracted position and a second position to chamber a shell in the breech of said gun, means'powered by recoil of said gun for moving said rammer to its second position, means for delivering individual shells successively from said carrying means to a position in the path of said rammer when the latter moves from its first position to its second position, rst switch means operable in response to both return of said tubeand-breech assembly to battery and movement of said rammer to its rst position to cause said delivery' means to deliver a shell Y into thef path of -said ramrner, means responsive to -recoilof said-gun` for moving -said rammer to its first position, and .second switch means operable `in response Ito movement of -saidf shell-delivering means '.to deliver a shell' into the Apath vof said rammer tocauseactuation of said remmer-moving-means and thereby effecting movement-of said rai-rimer to `itssecond position;

8. Incombinationfa gun having-a tube-andbreech Aassembly `noun-ted#v for recoil and return to-rbatter-y, -means f orcarrying a 'plurality *of shells for said gun,Y a supportfpositioned `in fixed relation to said 4gun-,--a rammer carriedby said support and\mounted-or movementbetween a l first-retracted iposition and` aI second'.v position to chamber` the -receivedshellinthe breech of said gun,-means Hfor delivering individual -shells Isuccessively from I saidshell-carrying means to f a position, in -the path of said ram-mer -whenthe latter f .moves1 from-its first position to its secondv` positionrsaidy shell-carryingrn means being operable to Iadvanceshellszsuccessvely into lthe pathf'of ,said `.delivery meansfor delivery tosaid rainme'r,Y a sourceA ofbelectr-ical energy-,- anelectricalcircuit connected to said source of energy and including a plurality of switches V*connected inseries,` -the ir'stwof said switches being--closed in responseto movementof said tubeeand-breech assemblyto .batteryf thesecond of -said switches bei-ri.g,,closedA inwresponse to ymovement-of lsaid rammerto .its-second position, and thethird of said.- #switches ybeingV closed in Aresponse to I movementsof said.-shelledeliveryl-means to Areceive a shell from said. .shell-carryingV means, -anda firing-controlrswitch connectedvin series with the aforesaid.` switches. .l in said.- circuit and. .operable to cornpletenh said. circuit only r when said first, secondand., third switches are closed.A

9. fnfcombinationwa gun having-.a tube-andn breech Yassembly .amounted yfor recoil, and. return to :batteryy-means for 'carrying a pluralityl of shells.-1fon,s'aid.gun, a supportpositioned in fixed relation.,to #saidgum a rammen-.carried by said Supportfands-.mounted for movement betweenua first l:position-to-:receive va shell from-said yshellcarrying means and a second position to .chainbervthei received .shellfin the breech/of Jsaid. gun, means or; delivering. individual, shells successively-rorrL-.said:shellecarryinghmeans to .a position tobe :received and-.chalnbered by Y said ram-mer when the latter moves from its first position-.to its;second. positiomlsaid. shellcarryingl-means being; A,Operable to .aadvancesshells .l successively `to said deliyeryameana a ring circuit for ringsad gun, including-a pluralityy lof switches lconnected n'ivsad .Gr.Qut,.1said circuit beingaclosedto foon.- dition said ring control for operation.-.only, in responseito moi/,ement of 4 said. rammen/.to :its second position, of .said tube-and-breech assembly z,to battery, andof said shell-advancing means to -shell-delivery position.

10In combination, a gun having a tube-andbreechassembly-*mountedfor recoil and return to hatten/means for carrying a plurality of shells for .said gun, Aa support positioned in fixed relation-to said gunya rammer carried by said supportorreciproc-:ationA in a path parallel to 4the bore fof said gun between a rearward position to receive shells from said shell-carrying means and a forward position to ram a shell intothe tube and-breech assembly,V means mounted on said shell-carrying means for movement from a first position remotel from `said tubiz eaandfbreech` assembly-to a second position generally-in axial alignment-with the bore of rsaidgun'to deliver a shell? to -be received-,by'Il-said'rammerJinI-its rearward position, means associated with lsaid tube'eand-breech assembly 1- for -`detectinglthe presence ori absencel'of a shell-therein,-means "for detecting-the return -orl nonretu-rn of said gun toebattery, 'means Aforhrnoving Asaid shell-delivery means to itssecondposition and operable in response -to the four conditionsn established#biT the-dispositionofsaidA --"shelldel-ivery means in its-'-iirst--position,- the-absence xof a `sl'ielbfrorn said l ftubeand'-breech` assembly, i the ydisposition of l said gun in battery; and the "disposition of said rammer yinits rearward-positionmeans for moving said rammerto' its forward position and operable in-'response to thefour conditions estab#- lishedfbyi disposition of said shell-delivery. means in vitsse*c'ondposition,l dispositionof saidf .gun in battery-absenceof a shell from-said-tube-and breechass'ernbly and .disposition/of saidnrammer in its-rearward position,l and means `for vvreturn-4 ing-said! shell-#delivery means to its :firstiposition andoper-'ablein --responsekto the three yconditions established-.by the: dispositiony of `Ysaidshell-dalivery means-inits-v secondposi-tion; the Adispositionof said' @un in batteryfand the disposition of said 'rammerin its forward position. l

l1.:q Ine-a gunvhav'inga breech-.mountedlor recoil and return to batters7` and includingfa. shell chamber andy ar breechbiockxmovableor opening and closing;A the combinati'onlwvitlfr' said lbreech of 'af-support iixoel againstrecoiLnrst andsecond actu'atable .elementson saidsupport, a irst: control member on said `breech and arranged to act-nate saidv firsts-lement only'- when said breech is in battery-a secondcontro1- member-carried by` said breech forl-movement with 1 r respect--to said breech andfsaid seconde element andl Harrangedvto be engagedand--positoned by--either a shell in said chamberor -bysaid breechblock when 'closedforvmovement-to a predetermined position `with respect to said second. element,v and means foijmovingsaidseconde-control member to "a second predetermined position -to actuate said secondielement when said, chamber is empty 'and said breechblowck is open.v`-

12k-Infra gun having a breechl mounted -for recoil and return to battery -andincludinga shell chamber, the4 combination-With said breech fof a support fixed ,against -recoil,v first and- .second actuatable'elements'on said supporta first control member onnsaid breech and-arranged'to actuate said yfirst element only when 'saidlbreechis in jbattfery, a Asecond-control member carried -by lsaid breech Yfor movementwith 'respect to said breech `vand 'said seconde-element `and arranged to beengaged and'positionedby a shell in said chamber for movement Ato apredeterminedpo'sition with L respect` to A`said11 second- Y element, and means for;v moving saidsecond controlznember to a second.; predetermined position toeactuate' said second' element' when 4aid chamber-is empty.i--

l3-`Ina gun 'having a breechfmountedlfor recoil and fretu-rnffto 4-liattery ariel-- including-.a breechblo'ok movable for opening VAKlandm closing, the y'cornbination -With` saidfbreechflof a support fixed against recoil; `first and second actuatable elements'on4 saiolsupper-'tJ a rlrst control mem-ber onsaid-br'feech and arrangedto actuate said rirst relement only when Jsail'ibr'eech -is in Vbatteryf-a second controly member carried byf-said breech for movement with respect to said breech-'fand saidL secondI element and arrangedto be engaged van`d -posifi-)ic'in'edA `by said lbree'cliblool; #whenlelosed `forrncve'rnent1 to fa' predetermined rp'ositionewith respect to said second actuator, and means for moving said second control member to a second predetermined position to actuate said second actuator when said breechblock is open.

14. In a gun having a breech mounted for recoil and return to battery and including a shell chamber and a breechblock movable for opening and closing, the combination withsaid breech of a support xed against recoil, first and second actuators on said support and positioned at an upper portion of said breech, irst control means on said breech and arranged for movement to a predetermined position with respect to said first actuator when said breech is in battery and to a second predetermined position when said breech. is out ofbattery, second control means carried by said breech and including a control member mounted for vertical movement with respect to said breech into and out of a position obstructing said `chamber and further obstructing movement of said breechblock to closed position, means for moving said control member to said obstructing position, said control member being movable out of obstructing position by a shell in said chamber or by said breechblock when closed, and means operatively associated with said second actuator and connected to said control member for movement thereby.

15. In a gun having a breech mounted for recoil and return to battery and including a shell chamber, the combination with said breech of a support fixed against recoil, rst and second actuators on said support adjacent said breech, rst control means on said breech and arranged for movement to a predetermined position with respect tc said first actuator when said breech is in battery and to a second predetermined position when said breech is out of battery, second control means carried by said breech and including a control member mounted for movement with respect to said breech into andout of a position obstructing said chamber, means for moving said control member to said obstructing position, said control member being movable out of obstructing position by a shell in said chamber, and means connected to said control member for movement thereby and operatively associated with said second actuator.

16,. In a gun having a breech mounted for recoil and return to battery and including a breechblock movable for opening and closing, the combination with said breech of a support xed against recoil, first and second actuators on said support adjacent said breech, first control means on'said breech and arranged for movement to a predetermined position with respect to said first actuator when said breech is in battery and to a second predetermined position when said breech is out of battery, second control means carried by said breech and including a control member mounted for movement with respect to said breech into and out of a position obstructing movement of said breechblock to closed position, means for moving said control member to said obstructing position, said control member being movable out of obstructing position by said breechblock when closed, and means connected to said control member for movement thereby and operatively associated with said second actuator.

17. In an automatic gun having a tube-andbreech assembly including a breechblock and mounted for recoil and return to battery, a rammer mounted adjacent said assembly for reciprocation from a first retracted position to a second position to ram a shell into said breech, shell-delivery means operable fto transpose a shell from a first station to a second stationin the path of said rammer, shell-carrying means operable to support a series of shells for said gun and to convey the same, consecutively, toy said rst station and deposit the same in said shellcarrying means, means responsive to recoil of said gun `to move said rammer to retracted position, releasable latch means holding said rammer in ,retracted position, a first solenoid energizable to release said latch means, spring means urging said rammer to second position, a first switch responsive to movement o1" said rammer into retracted position, a second switch responsive to movementr of said breechblock to open position, a third switch responsive to movement of said shell-delivery means to said second station, and a circuit including a source of voltage, said rst, second and third switches, and said solenoid, in series.

18. A gun as recited in claim 17, releasabledent means holding said shell-deliverymeans in said first station, a second solenoid carried by vsaid shell-delivery means and energizable to releasesaid detent means and permit said shell-delivery means to move to saidsecond station,;said third switch being a double-throw unit, automatically moved to second position when said shell-delivery means is in said first station, and a second circuit including said source of voltage, said.

position, said fourth switch and said fifth switch.

when said shell-delivery means is in saidsecond station, power means operable to return said shell-delivery means to first station, andmeans released by energization` of said second solenoid throughsaid second circuit, to release said power means and thereby effect return of said shelldelivery means to its first station. V

20. In an automatic gun having a breech and c a breechblock movable in said breech to open and close the same, a rammer reciprocable from a first to a second position to ram a shell into said breech, means powered by recoil of said gun to move said rammer t0 first position, releasable means holding said rammer in rst position, a solenoid energizable to release said releasable means, a rst switch closed by movement of said rammer out of said secondposition, a second switch closed by movement 0f said breechblock to Vopenposition,,and av circuit including a source of power, said rst and second switches and said solenoid, in series.

21. In an automatic gun having a breech and a breechblock movable in said breech to open and close the same, a rammer reciprocable from a first position to a second position to ram a shell into said breech, means responsive to recoil of said gun to move said rammer into said rst position, means powered by recoil for urging said rammer into second position, releasable latch means holding. sai-d. rammervin iirst position, shellHcarrying. means, Ishell-delivery means operable between arstand-a secondpositionto convey shells; kone -at Va time',y front-said- -carrying means intofthe path of-said tammer,..lrespectively,a rst switch closed by'fmovement of'said rammer `to saidzrstposition,-.a second switch closed .by movement of saidebreech. t open-pw sition,.a third switch closedhy :movement ici .said shell-delivery meansto 4second `positionwa solenoid.. effective f .to release .saidl latch means and a circuit including in aseriesf-a source-.of powerr said. .solenoid and said. rrst,. second. .and .third switches...

22. `In yan automaticgun, having a breech and breechblock movable.v to--open...and..close .said breech, meansfor ycarrying-ia series-of shells for said gun..'and operable:todeliver..the..same oneat la time to la, rst s'tati'on,tray. meansopf. erable .to receive :each shellffatl. said .rst' station. andY to convey Athe.' sameto :a secondv station. .for ramminginto said breech, powerlmeans-.for moving-said. tray means.from..said. second to .said rst stationtlatchmeans .holdingfsaid tray means in firststation.,` and. ireleasingJf-means xcarried :by said tray means .and operableto release. said. latch. meanswhen. said tray means-.is in .said dirst stas tion. and to leiecttoperationoi said. power means Whensaid. .trayfmeans -is inusaid secondstatierkl 23. In .anautomatic gunas recitedin .-::laim.22,'v second latch. means holding-,said .trayameans .in said. second station, .said .releasing.-.means beingoperable .to .release. .said .secondi latch.' means .Y .at the same timefit effectsI operation. of .said4 power means.

24. Inz-anrautomaticL-'gun having.` a breech. and breechblock-.wmovableo to lopemtand.. .closet-said. breech,limeans-,,fo1f .carrying .a series of .shelis adiacentlsaidi breech-.andx operablewto .feed said shells, one-natea time, t0 a .rst station,..tray. means pivotaloleato .-receive. eachffshell... at said first `stat-iori..=andto y transpose..the. same. .to .l a second station.oremammina Linto-.f said breech,Y meansincluding -;a spring..y poweredbw .recoilaof said-gun -ion .pivoting said `tray meansfrom. said second to Ysaid,--'.:first.station. and. .simultaneously operatingfsaid 7Shelhcarrying .means.. to .-f.eed.z .a shell to said -1 tray... means when thezlattar are rives .at said irststation, iirst. latch means holdf, ing-said trayimeans at said.- .irst.\station,..seco.nd. latch means :holding: said. spring in. powered por, sition, and` solenoidr'operated, means carriedby. said tray means .and cperablemo release. said first. latch! means :onlyl .when said -traycmeans is `at said rst station, and to .release said. second--flatchs means lonly. whenisaid.y .tray :meansfis at said, sec?` ond station. I,

25. In an;automaticgun-loadi-ng mechanism,. tray.means=pivotab.1e on. an-.axisy parallel to the. bore .of a gun-tetranspose a shell.from-a irststation. .to ya second station :vin ..posi-tion' te 'berammed. intoa gum-a rodslidableonsaid-tray means; la solenoid connected. Kto l slidefsaid .rody a rst-latchfZengaged by-said --rod When-said tra-yA meansis Aat said. :iirststa-tion- -to-ho1dfthesame\ at said station, spring -.means operable to .move said :tray means from Vsaid -secondto :said-.first station, a second. latchholding said springimeansi against action, means carried .bysaid rodi-and. operableto release said second latch only-,When said. tray .meansis at said second station,-fand circuit .means including said solenoid,'to energize: theA same. .1

26. A mechanism. asin claim 25,-"a rammer.. movable' from. a. retractedpositon. to rama shell from said tray means at said second. station into said gun, a first doublewthrow-switchfoperated by'zsaid rammer, said circuitmeans including. a sour-ceci power .andnrst and secondbranches,I in parallel, .each `includinga respective -poleof` said. fdouble .throw switch.

27'. A mechanism .as c0vered.,by claimfy 26,-said\ rst vbranch including a second. switch.. adaptedto .befclosed byzmovement ofthe breechof said gun to .0penpositionand a third .switch closed bysmovement of said4 tray meansfintolsaidirst; station-- 28., A mechanismv as .covered by claim A27-, said. second.- branch. including` a fourth a switch 5 closed byzmovement of said gun to battery.

29..'.A mechanismas covered :by claim y28,.-saijd,

secondbranch also; including affth double-throw.; switch closed to onei position; byy movementvof said tray means into second station.

. 30.1.; A mechanismz as covered fbygclaim ;2 9, and a firing circuit for Said sunincludnegsad saure@ of power,y said second branch andsaid fifth switch whenclosed Ito a second ,position by. movement of said4 traymeans out of vsaid secondstation.l

31.*, A -mechanism.gas covered Vby claim 30, .a third latch-operableto hold said rammerv-in re tracted position-a second solenoid energizable to release said third latch means, said- .third switchfbeing a double throwunit movedqinto..a ,nositpnfbymrementcf -saidftray means. second; station,v andfa circuit for.l energias.

ing said, second solencida-nd includingsaidsource.

of power,` said first branchand saidthird switch when `inits second position.

SIGMU. ND" SCHIFF.

References Citedin .i',l1e. filey of ,this.patent4 UNITED STATES FATTE1\.TISg

Number Name Date 702,2@ Noble June 10, 1902 738,666 Dawson et al.' Sept-8, 1903- 934,325 l Lehmann Sept.r14, 1909Z 1,413,694' Vollmer i1pr.-25,1922V 1,648,469 g Adamson-et al. Nov.-8, .1927. 2,122,423v Joyce July l5, 1938l 2,151,288 Warn-nger Mar. 21, 19391 2,287,104 l Joyce June23, 1942. 2,380,455 Lippert-et al. Julyl31, 1945. 2,410,116 Vickers Oct; y29, 1946L 2,439,142 Molins et al. Apr. 6,1948.

FOREIGN PATENTS Number- Country Date 125,442. Great Britain Apr'. v`24519159,y 398,081. Great Britain Sept. 7, 1933= 

